What’s the allure of a live cooking demo? Well, any comedy of mishaps at the expense of the performer always brings me great joy. And some chefs are just plain funny when they interact with their audience. The best so far was An Enchanted Summer Solstice Evening fundraiser for Mama’s Kitchen. Tommy Gomes (Catalina Offshore Products), Miguel Valdez (Red Door Restaurant), Hanis Cavin (Carnitas’ Snack Shack), Alex Carballo (Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens), Chad White (Counterpoint) and myself did live demos for all our courses. You can find the recipes online at mamaskitchen.org. — Ricardo Heredia, executive chef at Alchemy Restaurant

Hands down Collaboration Kitchen at Catalina Offshore! Pumping energy, a great cause, a bevy of really great local chefs instruct and a good time is had by all. Tommy Gomes and Catalina Offshore are to be well commended for for not only a stroke of genius, but for all the good they have provided to kids in need over the years – all the proceeds go to a good cause. Oh, and yes you can pick up some great cooking tips too! — Andrew Spurgin, consulting chef and event architect, andrewspurgin.com

Well, after all I am a chef (or used to be cheffing around town!), so I am usually teaching myself and rarely attend one but the most successful one I did was for a friend’s 9-year-old little girl, Kylie! She insisted on going shopping with me and wanted the class to be hands on, we made a fantastic French apple tart that she wanted to make at home for mummy. She was more attentive than most adults, and even more eager to eat the pie... — Fabrice Poigin, private chef, restaurant consultant

The closest thing to a live cooking demo I’ve come across would be when I’m walking through the vendor pavilions at the San Diego County Fair each summer. Can’t say they’ve been successful with me since I don’t sit in on them. I’d rather leave the sushi making expertise to the pros instead of attempting to make it myself at home with a sushi making kit! — Joanne Arellano, human resources professional, avid Yelper, avid diner